EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC
OF THE PHILIPPINES


SEOUL REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Announcements And Advisories

Philippine Embassy in Seoul Reiterates Warning to Filipinos Against Illegal Matchmaking Agencies


Seoul – Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Luis T. Cruz reiterated the Philippine Embassy's warning to Filipinos against agencies that act as a front for mail-order brides amidst reports that the South Korean Government is also set to crack down on interracial matchmaking agencies that violate local laws and use deceptive advertising.

The Philippine Embassy reminds the public of Philippine Republic Act 6955 or the Anti-Mail-Order Bride Law, which makes it illegal for a "person, natural or juridical, association, club or any other entity" to "establish or carry on a business which has for its purpose the matching of Filipino women for marriage to foreign nationals either on a mail-order basis or through personal introduction." The law also makes it illegal for anyone "to advertise, publish, print or distribute or cause the advertisement, publication, printing or distribution of any brochure, flier, or any propaganda material calculated to promote the prohibited acts" earlier mentioned. Further amendments included its applicability to mail-order bride schemes using "mails or websites in the Internet." While matchmaking agencies are considered legal in South Korea, Korean law requires these agencies to be registered and to be aware of issues concerning interracial marriages and ethics. Amb. Cruz notes that many Filipinos enter South Korea through marriages arranged through these matchmakers. Many are lured by promises of work or a better life. As of January 31, 2008, approximately 5,000 Filipinos married to South Koreans reside in the peninsula, some of whom met through matchmaking agencies.

Other Announcements And Advisories


April 06, 2026
NOTICE OF RERB HEARING ON 20 APRIL 2026

Please be notified that the Resident Election Registration Board (RERB) of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, South Korea will convene at 2F Conference Room, Philippine Embassy on 20 April 2026 at 10:00 A.M. to hear the applications for registration, certification, reactivation, correction of entries or change of name, change of address, transfer, recapture and other types of applications filed with the Post from  01 December 2025 - 31 March 2026.

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March 24, 2026
LAUNCH OF FULLY DIGITAL APOSTILLE FOR PSA E-CERTIFICATES AND CHED E-CAVS

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul informs the public of the Official Launch of the Fully Digital Apostille (eApostille) for Philippine Statistics Authority electronic Certificates (PSA eCertificates) and Commission on Higher Education electronic Certification, Authentication, and Verification (CHED eCAVs) at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, Philippines, on 16 March 2026. This initiative is part of the Philippines’ continuing implementation of the electronic Apostille Program (e-APP) of the HCCH aimed at facilitating the secure electronic issuance and verification of Apostilles and promoting the efficient cross-border use of public documents among Contracting Parties to the Apostille Convention.  The following arrangements for the issuance of Apostilles for PSA eCertificates, covering civil registry documents, and CHED eCAVs, covering academic documents, were implemented starting 16 March 2026: 

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March 22, 2026
ANNOUNCEMENT: 2026 FEALAC Young Leaders Program

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul invites you to join the 2026 FEALAC Young Leaders Program—an exciting opportunity to represent the Philippines, engage in regional issues, and create impactful content on East Asia–Latin America relations.

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